Crossword Genius

Scattered scraps by log base (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sparse

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'scattered' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'scraps by log base' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'base' could be 'e' (Euler's number - base of natural logarithms) and 'e' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'spars' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sparse that I've seen before include "Thinly-spread" , "Thinly populated" , "One's not at all thick" , "Meagre, thin on the ground" , "Infrequent" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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